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Save the Environment by Going green in the Workplace

A clean and green office space in Cebu may mean lesser carbon footprint, and create a healthier and more comfortable place to work. And, in some ways, may promote a productive environment. Whether you’re the entrepreneur heading the business or part of the staff, you can make some practical steps to serve as the foundation for a healthy, low-impact workspace.

Read on and find out how you can make your workplace a greener environment.

Go Digital

Why are we, in the digital age, still consuming enormous amounts of mashed up, bleached tree pulp, most of which only get used once or twice before being tossed or recycled? The most environment friendly form of paper is no paper at all, so keep things digital and dematerialized whenever possible. The more you do things online, the less you need paper. Go to the cloud! Keep your stash in your computers instead of in filing cabinets (This also makes it easier to make offsite backup copies or take them with you when you move to a new office). Review documents in your desktop rather than printing them out. Send emails instead of snail mail.

Refrain from Using Too Much Paper

When you buy printer paper, look for recycled paper with a high percentage of post-consumer content and the minimum in chlorine bleaching. Even recycled paper use up a great deal of energy, water, and chemical resources in its processing (toxic pulp slurry is what goes behind the recycled paper business). When using the unrecycled paper, print on both sides of the page when appropriate and use misprints as notepaper. Try to choose printers and photocopiers that do double-sided printing. If your office ships packages, recycle boxes and use waste paper as packing material.

Opt for Green Materials

I admit, paper use can’t be avoided, so use recycled paper and envelopes that have been processed and colored using eco-friendly processes. Pens and pencils can also be made of recycled materials, and refillable pens and markers are much, much better than disposable ones. Use biodegradable soaps and recycled paper or cloth towels in the bathroom and pantry, and provide biodegradable cleaners for your household staff. Buy in bulk so that shipping and packaging waste are minimized, and reuse the shipping boxes. Recycling printer cartridges is often free, and recycled replacements are much more affordable than new ones.

Think of What and How You Chow

Bringing lunch to work in reusable containers is a green and healthy way to eat at work. Getting delivery and takeout always ends up with a miniature mountain of packaging waste. But if you can’t avoid to order delivery, join coworkers in placing a large order. Also, bring with you reusable plate, utensils, and napkins to the workplace.

Invite Others to Join Your Cause

Share these tips with your friends and workmates. Schedule an office carpool or group bike ride to work. Ask the office manager to get recyclable office materials for the break room and make sure everyone has a small recycling box so that recycling is just as easy as throwing paper away. Ask everyone to bring in a mug or glass from home and keep some handy for visitors so that you reduce or eliminate use of paper or plastic cups.